Charles Bridge Czech Republic

Legendary

A medieval stone arch bridge constructed in the 14th century by King Charles IV.

Photo by R Boed

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Builders once mixed raw eggs into the mortar of Charles Bridge, believing it would make the stone stronger. Legend says one village even sent hard-boiled eggs by mistake, worried the raw ones would crack on the bumpy journey to Prague.

King Charles IV ordered the bridge built in 1357, to replace an older bridge that had been destroyed by a flood. It took 45 years to finish, with construction wrapping up in 1402.

The bridge crosses the Vltava River, connecting Prague's Old Town to the neighborhood on the opposite bank. For centuries, it was the only way to cross the river in the entire city.

For a long time, people simply called it the "Stone Bridge," since there wasn't any other bridge in Prague to confuse it with. It wasn't officially renamed Charles Bridge until 1870, in honor of the king who built it.

The bridge stretches 516 meters long and rests on 16 stone arches. Two towers guard each end, built at different times in different styles.

Starting in the 1600s, workers began adding statues along the bridge. Today, 30 statues line the sides, most of them saints carved in the Baroque style.

The bridge has survived floods, wars, and hundreds of years of history. In 1965, cars were banned completely, and today it's open only to people walking across.

Walk the full length of the bridge and look for the statues, each with its own story and legend. Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and get the best photos. Look toward Prague Castle on one side and the spires of the Old Town on the other for one of the best views in the whole city.